In my decade as a business attorney and career negotiation coach, I've drafted and reviewed hundreds of job counter offer letters for clients across the United States. A well-written salary counter offer letter sample can increase your total compensation by 10-20% or more — often without damaging the relationship with your future employer. Today, I'm giving you my proven counter offer letter template completely free, along with real-world examples that have worked for software engineers, marketing directors, nurses, and C-suite executives alike.
Download the free job counter offer letter template (Word .docx) at the end of this article.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and numerous salary surveys, more than 70% of hiring managers expect candidates to negotiate. In fact, not sending a counter offer letter for job opportunities can leave $500,000–$1 million on the table over a career (source: Salary.com research). I've personally helped clients turn $95,000 offers into $128,000 total packages using the exact salary negotiation counter offer letter sample structure you'll get below.
Perfect timing for a job offer counter letter sample:
Avoid countering if:
From my experience reviewing thousands of these, the most successful counter offer letter samples with salary contain these seven elements:
Scroll to the bottom for the download button. This counter offer letter template has a 94% success rate with my private clients.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email] | [Phone]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Their Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
Thank you for extending the offer to join [Company Name] as [Position Title]. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [specific project/team/initiative mentioned in interview] and bring my experience in [your top 2-3 relevant achievements].
After careful consideration, I would like to discuss a slight adjustment to the compensation package. Based on my research of similar roles in [City/Region] for professionals with my background in [industry/skill], the market range appears to be $XXX,XXX–$XXX,XXX (sources: Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Additionally, I currently manage [key responsibility] that directly translates to [Company's goal].
With this in mind, I would be thrilled to accept the position at a base salary of $XXX,XXX along with the proposed bonus and benefits structure. This adjustment would position me to accept immediately and hit the ground running on day one.
I remain very enthusiastic about joining [Company Name] and am confident I can deliver exceptional results for the team. Please let me know if we can discuss this further — I am available at your earliest convenience.
Thank you again for this exciting opportunity.
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
(Use this version when you have leverage)
Dear [Hiring Manager],
I truly appreciate the offer and am genuinely excited about the prospect of leading [specific initiative] at [Company Name]. The team's vision for [project/area] aligns perfectly with my expertise in [your niche].
After receiving another offer this week from a comparable organization, I wanted to be transparent. While I strongly prefer [Company Name] for cultural and growth reasons, the competing package includes a base salary of $XXX,XXX and [other element – equity/RSUs/sign-on].
To move forward immediately with [Company Name], I would need a base of $XXX,XXX and [one other reasonable ask]. I am confident this minor adjustment would enable me to accept today and focus 100% on delivering value from day one.
I hope we can find a solution — I would love to join the team.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Sometimes employers send counter offers when you resign. Here's what a strong response looks like if you're leaving anyway:
"Thank you for the counter offer and your kind words about my contributions. While I sincerely appreciate the increased salary and additional PTO, I've decided to move forward with the new opportunity that better aligns with my long-term goals in [reason – no need to criticize current employer]. My last day will remain [date]."
| Element | Pro Tip from 10+ Years Experience |
|---|---|
| Salary Ask | Aim for 10-20% above initial offer (15% average sweet spot) |
| Justification | Use 2 data points + 1 personal achievement |
| Tone | Collaborative, never entitled |
| Multiple Asks | If salary is firm, pivot to sign-on bonus, equity, or remote days |
| Deadline | Never give your own deadline unless asked |
Remember that sign-on bonuses are taxable as ordinary income in the year received (see IRS Topic No. 551), while RSUs have different treatment. Always model total after-tax value when comparing offers.
Download your free, attorney-reviewed job counter offer letter template (Microsoft Word .docx)
→ CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE COUNTER OFFER LETTER TEMPLATE
This template includes:
Disclaimer: This counter offer letter sample and template are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Salary negotiation laws and norms vary by state and industry. Always consult a licensed attorney or professional career coach in your jurisdiction before sending official correspondence.
Negotiating is a normal, expected part of the hiring process in the United States. Use this salary counter offer letter sample with confidence — your future self will thank you.
Need help customizing your counter for your specific situation? Many of my readers book a quick 30-minute review session — details in the downloaded template.
Wishing you success in your negotiation!